An enlightened approach
Using LED lighting in salmon cages can enhance fish growth by 25%, according to the preliminary results of a trial between Salmones Camanchaca and Philips Lighting Aquaculture.
The trial, which is due to end in the next few weeks, is being conducted at Camanchaca’s Forsyth site. It was set up in mid-June 2015 according to Camanchaca production standards in 30 x 30 m cages – 5 cages accommodated LED lighting while 5 control cages had no light. During the trial the weight of the fish was continuously measured using weight-frames. The result of the trial is being evaluated based on feed data, weight data and monitoring of the mortalities.
The results so far indicate that, 3 months prior to harvesting, the fish in cages with lights installed have grown around 25% more in weight and 15% in SRG. It is also expected that sexual maturation will decrease compared with control cages. The other cages will be harvested in the course of next few months.
The improvements are attributed to enhanced light available in a very large volume of the cage. The specific LED light penetrates deep and distributes uniformly in the cages, ensuring the amount of light on daily basis necessary to prevent triggering sexual maturation of salmon. Moreover, in the trial Camanchaca implemented a specific lighting strategy for their on-growing by adapting the light during the day according to natural lighting conditions so that the fish were less stressed and grew faster and healthier.
Based on results of the trial at Forsyth Camanchaca has decided to roll-out the LED lighting to other sites in a bid to boost productivity while improving fish welfare at sea.
